The Encyclopedia of the New York Stage, 1920-1930

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The Encyclopedia of the New York Stage, 1920-1930 Set

Samuel L. Leiter, Editor-in-Chief

Holly Hill, Associate Editor

ISBN: 0-313-23615-1

ISBN-13: 978-0-313-23615-0

DOI:

1331 pages, apps.

Greenwood Press

Publication: 8/22/1985

List Price: $272.95 (UK Sterling Price: £155.00)

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Media Type: Hardcover

Reviews:

Mr. Leiter takes the ambitious goal in this first two-volume set of a planned multivolume series `to provide a description of every legitimate theatre production--play, musical, revue, revival--given in the New York professional theatre during the decade of the 1920s.' It covers the period June 16, 1920 through June 15, 1930. Only theatres of Broadway and Off-Broadway are included. Productions of every known foreign language, as well as English, are covered. The 2,000 production entries are arranged alphabetically and present data under the following headings: titles (with English translation for foreign titles), categories (comedy, drama, etc.), author, translator/adaptor, revised by, book (name of librettist/s of a musical or review), conceived by, music, lyricist, additional music, additional lyrics, source, director, choreographer, set designer, costume designer, designer, producer, theatre, opening dates, and length of run. Additional information is presented in narrative form on historical backgrounds, plot summary, and critical reception to both the play and performance. Quotes or paraphrases from critics are also given. Ten appendices: calender of productions, listings of plays by categories, awards, sources of plays, institutional theatres (and their productions), foreign companies and stars, longest running shows of the 1920s, list of critics cited, seasonal statistics, and theatres (listed alphabetically for Broadway and Off-Broadway). Selected bibliography, index of proper names, and index of titles. The most comprehensive resource on the subject, The Encyclopedia pf the New York Stage, 1920-1930 would enhance any reference collection on American theatre history.
—Reference Book Review
The central feature of this `encyclopedia` is an alphabetical list of approximately 2,500 professional theatrical productions mounted in Manhattan during the decade of the 1920s. A description of each production, based on the newspaper reviews of the time, includes information as to source, type, producers, directors, theater, opening date, length of run, etc. Of the casts, only the stars are mentioned in most cases. The quotations from the contemporary reviewers are brilliant enough to make the editors' prose seem stodgy (see Benchley on Abie's Irish Rose). Following the alphabetical listing are ten appendixes of varying degrees of usefulness, a bibliography, and indexes to persons and to play titles.
—CHOICE
The Encyclopedia of the New York Stage, 1930-1940 is a specialized volume that should find its way into any respectable theater reference collection. In essence it lists every show that played New York in the decade indicated, with a synopsis of the plot, structure, cast, creators and critical reactions. This is the second in a series that gives more inforamtion on each show that is contained in the familiar Best Plays Of series. With almost 1300 pages and an amazing amount research on the author's part.
—Stage Directions

LC Card Number: 84-6558

LCC Class: PN2277

Dewey Class: 792.9


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